(MENAFN Editorial) With the rapid advancement of information & communication technologies (ICT) ushering in a new era of digital connectivity across the region, Huawei-a leading global ICT solutions provider-in association with the UAE Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) have confirmed plans to host the UAE's first Huawei Broader Way Forum 2014, examining how national broadband initiatives are expected to transform the region's socio-economic landscape in the years ahead. The full-day conference will take place on April 29, 2014, at the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel in Dubai, UAE.

Huawei has previously held Broader Way Forums in key countries across the world highlighting top industry topics such as mobile communications, broadband and data security. Considering the increasing regional and international position of UAE in general and Dubai in particular as a hub for international events and conferences, Huawei decided to partner with TRA to bring the Broader Way platform to UAE

Bringing together senior-level industry stakeholders from the UAE's public sector as well as top analysts, operators, and consultancy firms, the theme of this year's UAE forum will be "National Broadband Networks". The forum will investigate the role of national broadband networks in driving economic transformation, the current state of broadband infrastructure in the UAE, and provide insights on how governments and businesses can work together to maximize the public value of such infrastructure policies

"We are constantly seeking to work with all relevant entities to create the necessary national infrastructure to expand broadband access to more communities across the nation," says H.E. Mohamed Nasser Al Ghanim, Director General, TRA. "The 2014 Broader Way Forum serves as a dedicated platform for such dialogue. As a world leading company, Huawei has great experience from around the globe and within the UAE in creating next-generation ICT infrastructure. Leveraging the best global insights, local market intelligence, and with input coming from top telecom research and consultancy firms, we look forward to advancing the UAE's vision for a national digital economy."

"National broadband networks (NBNs) have been embraced by governments around the world-including several initial projects in the Middle East-as a tool for driving economic growth and national competitiveness by providing universal high-speed communication services to the public," says Mr. Shiyaohong, President of Huawei Middle East. "National broadband rollouts do, however, require substantial investments and can take several years to implement. Considering the diversity of actors involved-from governments, operators and other third parties-nations across the globe have been exploring a diversity of NBN strategies to cultivate public investment, drive healthy competition in the market, and deliver connected solutions to the public at large.

Worldwide Huawei has won contracts on more than 20 announced national broadband projects with a market share of over 70%. Combining global best practices from successful deliveries in countries such as Qatar, Malaysia, Singapore, and the UK, Huawei offers comprehensive management capabilities from network infrastructure to professional services.